So I am new here and new to Wet Shaving. I received a Merkur for Christmas and I am getting used to using it but there is a lot I don't know. I am looking forward to getting to know the people on here! Gilly
I think it's the 34c. I'm also using Proraso shave soap. I like it so far. ****After looking around I seem to have a Merkur 23C Long Handle.
Welcome Gilly. Stick with it, check out some the the threads and don't be afraid to ask questions. You've come to the right place. We all love this stuff..and are ready to help with your journey.
Welcome to the Den! Watch Mantic59's videos to help you get started on the right foot and read a lot around here of course. Many of the stickies are super helpful. The members here are very knowledgeable and very friendly! The biggest thing is to stick to it. It'll take you about 30 days to unlearn the evils of cart shaving and learn how to really shave. The Merkur 34c is a fine razor. Are you using a brush?
I am using an omega brush. it isn't badger hair but it is ok. I got a Wilkinson Sword brush as well, but I am not fond of it at all. The WS soap (blue) is equally horrible. I an using the Merkur Platinum blades with the razor and I am liking the results. I may order a sample pack to broaden my shave experience. I am looking forward to seeing the videos and reading the info on this site. So far so good.
You will find many big boar supporters around here. If the Omega does the job, then great! Badger is not better, just different. If you are interested in badger, then a really good badger option would be a Whipped Dog Deep set Silvertip (~38 USD shipped). Definitely on the best $ for value list. As for the blades, you are a better man than me if you are getting along with Merkur blades. Don't get me wrong. If they work for you great! Many consider them on the rougher side. A sample pack is definitely something to consider. Happy shaving
Hi! Welcome to the Den. The 34C was my first DE. Liked it so much I've added a 34G and a 34C with a custom red mallee burl handle.
I am spending the week at my inlaws. My father inlaw is a retired army guy and he has found his original issued safety razor from the fifties. He is going to give it to me. I'm excited to see what it is and what shape it is in. I'll keep you all posted!
One thing you should know is the three Ts which stands for "Technique Trumps Tools." Now I mention defective products, no amount of technique can overcome a defective product. The products must be ones that can work correctly. No out of alignment razors, or poorly manufactured blades that have bad edges, can be overcome by technique. Here is the advice I received when I started with a DE and so I freely give it to new users. The most important things in shaving are, your skin and technique. All other things fall in line behind those two things and to support them. Since the skin is a given fixed item, the next major item is technique. It is called THE 30 DAY RULE. THE 30 DAY RULE is as follows: Find a razor, then a blade that will not cause issues with your skin (that may take a few different blades in a sampler pack to find a suitable choice or it maybe the first out of the gate) and select a soap or cream that is easy to generate good lather. Once you find those, and it may take a couple of weeks to find this combination, order a quantity of that blade, enough for 30 days, and then spend 30 days using nothing else until you build up your technique. (Note that only one brand blade is used for 30 days after each blade in the sampler pack is tested to make the decision on the blade brand to use for 30 days.) The 30 day clock starts when you have the right blade for you. After 30 days, change one and only one variable and work for another week then change another after another week. At that point you should be able to make better decisions because your technique is now in place. This will help you to avoid buying too much gear and stuff too soon without having the technique available to enjoy all the gear. Oh, and one last thing ... Welcome to the Den. We know you'll fit right in. So grab yourself a comfy chair, and give our threads a spin! Burma Shave
Greetings Gilly. Welcome to The Shave Den. Good to have you aboard. Check out the SOTD thread. Lots of eye candy.
